Statement about major events in Plymouth

In light of themost recent government guidance about mass gatherings due to COVID-19(coronavirus), Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, PlymouthCity Centre Company, Destination Plymouth and Mayflower 400 have made thedecision to cancel or postpone a number of major events that were due to take placein Plymouth.

The followingevents will no longer take place in May:

• Mayflower Ocean Festival (4 to 10 May), including:
  • Pirates Weekend Plymouth
  • OSTAR and TWOSTAR yacht races
  • Shanty Shindig music festival
  • On the Water Plymouth
  • Ocean Cinema Film Screenings
  • Ocean Sailing Activity Zone
  • Spirit of Adventure project
• Plymouth History Festival (8 to 31 May)
• VE Day 75 (8 May)
• Britain’s Ocean City Half Marathon (17 May)
• Lord Mayor’s Day (23 May)
• Flavour Fest (29 to 31 May)

Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said:

“ We are extremely disappointed that we have had to cancel this year’s Flavour Fest. It is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the city and we know this will be a big blow to our visitors, traders and the city centre economy.

“We have also had to cancel our Easter trail and popular in-store yoga sessions. We will now be concentrating our efforts on doing everything we can to help  our businesses get through this crisis.”

The BID is hoping its summer events programme, including Plymouth Summer of Fun and the West End Carnival will be able to go ahead.

We will continue to share information and ideas here and via our social media channels.

Plymouth City Council is working with partners to see if it’s possible to host a number of events at a later date in 2020.

Council Leader Tudor Evans OBE, said:

“It goes without saying that we are hugely disappointed to have to cancel or postpone so many of our major events, but public safety must come first. I know that many people will be upset or frustrated by this announcement but it is the right thing to do – we’re following national guidance to help keep you and your families safe.”

All third-partyevents that were due to take place on land managed by Plymouth City Councilbetween now and the end of May have also been cancelled.

All traders andbusinesses affected will be contacted with additional information but anyonewith queries can contact eventbookings@plymouth.gov.uk.

Moreinformation about any postponed events will be announced in due course. Pleasesee visitplymouth.co.ukfor all the latest updates.

For updatesabout the opening of The Box, please see www.theboxplymouth.com.

For the latestupdates about Plymouth’s Mayflower 400 programme, please see www.mayflower400uk.org